To anyone who knew them, their nuptials came as a shock. That a notorious recluse and confirmed spinster had somehow found their way to each other was positively unprecedented. But everyone was happy for them, especially Liz’s brother, who—even though he would not admit it— was happy to have his sister off his hands. And she was to be a countess, no less! Even in their wildest dreams, her family would not have anticipated such a turn of events.
Lorna, though she was happy for her aunt, had taken to pouting. She wasn’t going to be a countess! She was starting to wonder if she should settle for a major, or should she set her sights higher? Perhaps a duke would be more fitting?
Nan, despite the fact that she hated to travel, was also at the wedding. She told Adam, more times than he could count, that he had reestablished himself in her good graces. And she would be beyond happy to have a new companion at Stokeley Hall.
“You have redeemed yourself in my eyes,” Nan had said, “and you should be glad, because my eyes never lie.”
Adam thought it would be rude to point out that her eyesight was actually quite bad, so he kept his opinion to himself.
At the end of the ceremony, Adam kissed his bride and swept her into his arms, ignoring gasps from the modest crowd. He carried her outside, to the open carriage, where Lorna and Rebecca tossed flower petals at them.
When they were alone, and the carriage rode off, he leaned toward his wife and rested his chin against her shoulder. Liz coiled her arm around the back of his head and kissed him squarely on the forehead.
“Dear Mrs. Calloway…” he said, reciting a letter that did not exist. “I am happy to tell you, my luck has changed. I now have the most beautiful wife, and I wouldn’t trade her for all the world.”
“Dear Mr. Calloway,” Liz mimicked him. “I happen to be acquainted with your wife, and you are very lucky indeed!”
Adam pulled her into his lap and growled into her shoulder, which was covered by a gown that he would soon be removing. When he came to that realization, Adam couldn’t stop smiling.
Happily ever after didn’t even begin to describe it!
The Spinster & the Beast Page 7